LAHORE, June 22: The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Associations (Punjab chapter) has expressed its deep concern at financial cut in higher education budget.
A meeting held under Prof Dr Sohail Aftab Qureshi at the University of Engineering and Technology on Friday unanimously deplored the financial cut in the Higher Education Commission budget. It demanded that the government immediately increase the higher education budget and make it proportionate with the increase in salaries.
Moreover, it demanded that the government release thepreviously-held funds meant for universities.
Stating that teachers are the backbone of universities, Prof Qureshi said the varsity teachers were suffering due to the HEC promotion policy that included criteria of acceptance of research papers.
The participants demanded that the criteria must be `rationalised` They also expressed concern at violence in the universities.
Such actions, they said, should immediately be stopped. They condemned torture of a teacher by a group of students.
The academics demanded that the university teachers` retirement age should be en-hanced to 65 years instead of 60 years as promised by the HEC.
Prof Qureshi demanded that the government take appropriate steps and the association would formulate its next line of action in the forthcoming general body meeting of the federation scheduled for June 28 in Islamabad.
NEWS BULLETIN: The Punjab University`s Department of Gender Studies in collaboration with the Strengthening Participatory Organisation on Friday launched its first news bulletin `Zeal` as well as inaugurated PU Gender Alliance at the Undergraduate Study Centre.
